TAC Cup 2018: Dandenong Stingrays cruise home in top-versus-bottom match against Bendigo Pioneers

VIC Country representatives Sam Fletcher and Zac Foot came to the fore as Dandenong Stingrays cruise to an 11-goal victory over Bendigo Pioneers at Shepley Oval.

DANDENONG Stingrays have set such exacting standards in the TAC Cup this season that even an 11-goal win over Bendigo Pioneers at Shepley Oval on Saturday didn’t leave them satisfied.

The Stingrays went into the match with a 10-1 record and a percentage of 221.52.

The Pioneers entered it at 2-9 and with a percentage of 61.11.

It was a top-against-bottom game; the final margin of 66 points was no great surprise.

Gotcha: Dandenong Stingray Jamie Plumridge brings down Pioneers Noah Wheeler.

Still, Dandenong’s coaches weren’t entirely pleased at what they saw, particularly in the second half.

The hosts led by 51 points at half time. From there, Bendigo, full of endeavour and enthusiasm, presented far sterner opposition.

Stingrays coach Craig Black thought complacency crept in.

“We got a bit forward of the footy and dropped off with our pressure,’’ he said.

“We allowed them to kick four goals in the third quarter and we were disappointed with our midfield pressure and put our backs out to dry a little bit.

“This group is one that can be challenged and we’re doing that. We’ve got things we want them to work on.’’

Goalkicking is one of them — the Stingrays finished the game with more points than goals.

For his part, Jake Frawley finished well in the credit after booting four goals in the first half, the best coming after a strong mark at the top of the square late in the second quarter.

In Frawley, Bailey Williams, Corey Ellison and Stephen Cumming, the Stingrays had four tall forward targets for their classy onballers.

Zac Foot, returning from a spell after Vic Country duties, slipped in for three goals, one of them gift-wrapped with a 50m penalty.

Every time Foot took possession teammates wanting to receive the ball shouted “Footy, Footy’’. The quaint call was heard often on a still winter day.

Mitch Christensen (Pioneers) and Riley Bowman (Stingrays) in a ruck contest.

Sam Fletcher, another Country representative, had an excellent outing through the midfield. “He’s a contested ball beast,’’ Dandenong coach Craig Black said after the match. The same could be said for captain Campbell Hustwaite, who bored in with his customary courage.

Jai Taylor started the game well across half back and Will Hamill caught the eye with his long strides and left foot.

With Angus Paterson, Matt Gahan, Lachlan Stenning, Matthew Cumming and Jai Triep, Taylor and Hamill made up a backline that repeatedly turned Bendigo away in the first half, often with intercept marks. The task was more difficult in the second half, but still accomplished.

Gahan was reported in the third quarter for what the umpire judged a sling tackle. It will be a surprise if the charge reaches the AFL Victoria MRP.

The Bendigo team included 157cm Lucas Caccaviello, one of the smallest players seen in the TAC Cup. He kicked two goals and is a busy and clever player.

For Black, it was a return to the box after his coaching duties at the national Under 18 championships (Nick Cox filled in for him).

Two weeks ago he landed a job at Collingwood as a pathways/development coach but AFL Victoria has given him permission to coach out the year with the Stingrays.

“Nice to be back and nice to see the guys do well again,’’ he said.

The Stingrays play Calder Cannons next week and a selection squeeze looms for the match committee when players return from school football.

“It’s a challenge to pick the 23 players every week,’’ Black said.

“It’s stiff competition for spots. It’s a good thing. We can challenge the players to play their roles and keep their positions in the team. There are going to be some serious footballers missing out. It’s tough for the coaches but it’s great for the program.’’

Stingrays coach Craig Black at the quarter-time huddle.

Dandenong Stingrays 4.5, 8.10, 12.15, 15.21 (111)

Bendigo Pioneers 1.0, 1.1, 5.3, 7.3 (45)

Dandenong goals: J. Frawley 4, Z. Foot 3, E. Cahill, C. Ellison, C. Hustwaite, M. Gahan, R. Bowman, S. Cumming, J. Plumridge, B. Williams

Best: S. Fletcher, Z. Foot, J. Frawley, C. Hustwaite, W. Hamill, J. Taylor

Bendigo goals: L. Caccaviello 2, R. Clarke 2, F. Perez, J. McHale, C. Vick

Best: J. McHale, J. Atley, R. Ironside, B. Vaz, M. Christensen, H. Lawrence